Let me be clear, I've been an atheist all my adult life, and am also a cynic, in the old-fashioned sense of one who challenges pride, hypocrisy and falsehood.

All that said, your article presents a clear account of what drives people to religion. A need for community, and 'a sense of meaning and substance' in their lives.

So you might consider asking yourself what is lacking in the community or communities you are already part of? That's hard for me, because as a dedicated misanthrope, I avoid community as I would a minefield!

As for meaning and substance, life contains neither in any real sense. We, by our nature as (supposedly) intelligent beings posses a faculty of imagination, which gives us both the need to seek and the ability to create meaning. Some folk consider 'spirituality' as something different from imagination, but it isn't.

I myself am entirely comfortable with the idea that my life has no meaning and little value. It leaves me free to just be myself as hard as I can be! All I would say to you is that it is better you create your own meaning than accept one created by others.